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Abstract:

An edible baking liner is disclosed which is formed from an edible paper
made with large-granule vegetable starch. The liner is baked with the
baking product and can be consumed without removing it from the baking
product. The edible baking liner can replace the use of an inedible
baking liner.

Claims:

1. An edible baking liner defining a recess for receiving bakable
material, the liner comprising an edible paper; wherein the edible paper
comprises vegetable starch, the vegetable starch having a granular size
of more than about 10 μm.

2. The edible baking liner of claim 1, wherein the recess defines a base
and a side attached to the base, and wherein the base and side each
comprise the edible paper.

3. The edible baking liner of claim 2, wherein the side is pleated.

4. The edible baking liner of claim 2, wherein the liner is shaped from a
single sheet of the edible paper such that the base and side form a
single integral piece of material.

5. The edible baking liner of claim 1, wherein the edible baking liner
suitable to be baked and consumed along with a baked good.

6. The edible baking liner of claim 5, wherein the edible baking liner is
of a size and shape suitable to act as the liner for a cupcake prepared
in a cupcake tin.

8. The edible baking liner of claim 1, wherein the edible paper is a
wafer paper that is potato-based.

9. A process for preparing an edible baking liner, comprising shaping
edible paper to define a recess for receiving bakable material; wherein
the edible paper comprises vegetable starch, the vegetable starch having
a granular size of more than about 10 μm.

10. The process of claim 9, wherein shaping the edible paper comprises
the steps of: forming a base from the edible paper, and forming a side
attached to the base, the side comprising the edible paper;

11. The process of claim 10, wherein shaping the edible paper further
comprises the steps of: obtaining a substantially flat sheet of the
edible paper, and pressing the sheet into the shape of the liner; and
wherein the step of forming the side further comprises folding the first
portion relative to a second portion adjacent the first portion.

12. The process of claim 9, wherein the process forms an edible baking
liner of a size and shape suitable to be baked and consumed along with a
baked good.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein the process forms an edible baking
liner of a size and shape suitable to act as the liner for a cupcake
prepared in a cupcake tin.

15. The process of claim 9, wherein the edible paper is a wafer paper
that is potato-based.

16. A method for preparing a baked good comprising: lining a baking
receptacle with edible paper, the paper comprising a vegetable starch
having an average granular size of more than about 10 μm; placing
baking ingredients in the baking receptacle with the edible paper; and
baking the ingredients and the paper in order to produce a baked good
that is suitable to be consumed without removing the edible paper.

18. The process of claim 16, wherein the edible paper is a wafer paper
that is potato-based.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
61/293,826, filed Jan. 11, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by
reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention generally relates to the use of liners in the
preparation of baked goods, and more particularly to an edible liner
suitable for accompanying a baked good through the baking process to
become an edible part of the baked good.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Certain bakery food products are often prepared with liners, which
separate the dough or batter from the material of the baking tin or tray
when the container is subjected to heat, such as within an oven, for
baking.

[0004] A typical liner is a thin, sheet-like material that is either sold
in the shape of the baking tin or tray, or is sold in sheets that can be
shaped by the baker.

[0005] Cupcakes are one example of a confection that is often prepared
with a liner. Cupcake liners are sold in a variety of paper-like
materials, often in a cup shape of the same size as a conventional
cupcake tin. A "batch" of cupcakes can be made by placing cupcake liners
in each of the cup-shaped depressions found in a cupcake tin, then
filling each liner with cake batter. After baking, each cupcake is easily
removed from its depression in the tin with the cupcake liner adhering to
the lower part of the confection. The cupcake can be transported intact
and held cleanly by the liner. As the cupcake is consumed, the liner is
peeled away and discarded.

[0006] While conventional cupcake liners are convenient for preparing and
transporting cupcakes, they are inconvenient during cupcake consumption.
The peeling process requires two hands and can produce crumbs and cupcake
fragments. The liner itself usually contains such fragments and must be
carefully handled by the fastidious consumer until it can be thrown away,
generating waste.

[0007] To overcome these problems, edible paper made from rice starch has
been suggested as a makeshift cupcake liner. However, rice paper becomes
crispy and unappetizing when baked in this way, is vulnerable to
moisture, and can very easily break apart, making it an unsatisfying
substitute for conventional inedible liners.

[0008] A need therefore exists for a liner that does not have to be
removed from baked goods prior to consumption, that adequately replaces
conventional paper for use in the preparation and transportation of baked
goods, and that provides a pleasant texture when consumed as part of a
baked good.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An edible paper baking liner is disclosed which comprises
large-granule vegetable matter of a sort suitable for baking and
consuming along with baked goods.

[0011] Additionally, a method is disclosed for preparing a baked good that
uses an edible paper baking liner as an edible component of the baked
good.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention
and, together with the Detailed Description given below, serve to explain
the invention.

[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a baking process using an edible liner in
accordance with the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 13 shows a partially consumed cupcake with an edible liner in
accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In place of traditional baking liners, in accordance with the
principles of the present invention, an edible liner can be used. The
liner is constructed of an edible paper material which includes vegetable
starch.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the vegetable starch may have an
average granular size that is greater than about 10 μm. Suitable
starches include potato, corn, cassava, sorghum, wheat, tapioca,
arrowroot, and sweet potato starches. The vegetable starch may also be
included in the edible paper through the use of any flour which contains
starch of the appropriate granule size, including varieties of spelt,
millet, or white flour.

[0028] In one embodiment, the edible paper may be made using a vegetable
starch in conjunction with oil and water. For example, the edible liner
in accordance with the present invention may be made from potato starch,
water, and vegetable oil. The edible paper may be potato-based wafer
paper such as is available as cake decoration equipment from bakery
supplies stores.

[0029] In contrast to wood pulp paper, edible paper is a thin sheet made
of food ingredients which can be consumed without harsh effects on the
normal human digestive system. Because thin sheets of edible paper are
made from food ingredients, edible paper is suitable to be eaten along
with baked goods.

[0030] Certain varieties of edible paper made with large-granule vegetable
starch are used as cake decoration supplements. Typically the paper is
applied after the confection is finished baking, and may be part of a
cake decoration plan including frosting and other edible and inedible
decorations. Food coloring is often included in order to produce a design
on the finished baked good.

[0031] Edible liners according to the present invention are suitable for
receiving and holding unbaked dough or batter, and may be baked along
with a baked good. During baking, a liner of the present invention may
adhere to the baked good and can be suitable for consuming along with the
baked good.

[0032] Turning now to the Drawings, wherein similar reference numerals
denote similar features throughout the several Figures, as illustrated in
FIGS. 1-3, multiple edible liners in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention may be constructed from a single
sheet 100 of edible material as discussed above. A disk 110 is denoted by
a solid line 112. The disk 110 may be removed from the sheet 100 by
cutting along the solid line 112. On the surface of the disk 110 is a
center region 120 which forms the bottom of the liner, and a peripheral
region 124 which forms the side surface of the liner. The regions 120 and
124 are demarcated by a dashed boundary line 122. As illustrated in FIG.
3, the peripheral region 124 is folded in a direction generally
orthogonal to the center region 120 in such a way as to create pleats 126
along the side surface 124. These pleats 126 may be formed by pressing
the disk 110 prior to folding, or may be formed as part of folding the
disk 110. The pleats 126 are a consequence of decreasing the outer
diameter of the peripheral region 124 when the peripheral region 124 is
folded. FIG. 3 illustrates the resulting edible baking liner 140.

[0033] In another exemplary embodiment, an edible baking liner may be
constructed from two or more pieces, as shown in FIGS. 4-7. FIG. 4 shows
a sheet 200 of edible paper, wherein bottom pieces 220 are cut out along
solid boundary lines 222, which results in the disk-shaped bottom pieces
220 having peripheral edges 230 (FIG. 6). FIG. 5 depicts a sheet 202 of
edible paper wherein strips are cut out along solid boundary lines 228 to
form side pieces 224. Each side piece 224 includes a base edge 232, two
side edges 234a and 234b, and a top edge 236, all defined by the cuts
made along boundary lines 228. The side piece 224 is assembled into a
cylinder shape by attaching the side edges 234a and 234b. One of ordinary
skill will understand that it may be appropriate for the side piece 224
to be created longer than the circumference of the bottom piece 220, so
that some overlap is allowed to aid in attaching the side edges 234a and
234b together.

[0034] The side piece 224 is then attached to the bottom piece 220 at the
edges 230 and 232. In one embodiment, water or another liquid may be used
at the interface between the edges 230 and 232 in order to aid in
attachment. In the embodiment shown, the base edge 232 of the side piece
224 is substantially the same length as the top edge 236, the resulting
edible liner 240 has side walls that are substantially perpendicular to
the bottom 220, and are not tapered.

[0035] FIGS. 8-11 illustrate another exemplary process of forming edible
liners 340, similar to the process described above with respect to FIGS.
4-7, except that the side piece 324 is not rectangular but is instead
shaped to allow for a tapered side 324 to the cup-shaped liner 340 when
shaped and attached to the bottom piece 320. Other than the change in
shape of the side piece 324 and the corresponding change in shape of the
resulting cup-shaped liner 340, each of the pieces and steps explained
above with respect to FIGS. 4-7 is carried out in a similar manner on the
edible sheets 300 and 302; the bottom piece 320 with its peripheral edge
328 formed from cutting along the solid line 322; and the side piece 324
with its bottom edge 332, its side edges 334a and 334b, and its top edge
336 formed by cutting along the solid line 328.

[0036] Although FIGS. 1-11 depict a cup-shaped edible container, it will
be appreciated that edible containers in accordance with the present
invention can alternatively be formed in various other shapes and
configurations. Edible liners of other shapes, such as those suitable for
baking cakes, loaves, and other baked goods can be made according to the
present invention. Nothing here should be construed to confine the edible
liner to any particular shape or any particular baked good. A cupcake
liner will be used in the discussion of the further example below, but
this is, again, merely illustrative and not to be considered limiting of
the invention except where specifically included in the claim language.

[0037] An edible baking liner, manufactured by any of the methods
discussed above or by another method known to one of ordinary skill in
the art, can be used to aid in the creation of a baked good as
illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. As shown, edible baking liners 440 in the
shape of cups are placed in the depressions 452 of a baking tin 450.
Cupcake batter 460 is added to each liner 440, and the baking tin 450 is
placed in an oven to be baked. A resulting cupcake 460 can be removed
from each depression 452, each of the cupcakes now including a liner 440
that adheres to and is part of the cupcake 460. The cupcake 460 can be
eaten with the liner 440.

[0038] The edible paper as described may be receptive to a variety of
flavorings and food-safe colorings. It is possible to add designs to the
paper which will persist through the baking process. For example, it is
possible to add words or images to the paper through the use of food-safe
colorings which will persist as part of the resulting baked good after
the baked good and liner are baked together in accordance with the
invention. Additional ingredients added to include flavors, such as
confection flavors like chocolate or blueberry, are also contemplated as
being within the scope of the invention. Liner flavors may be already
present in the baked good or may be introduced only in the liner. Edible
liners may be packaged and sold with flavors or designs already included
or may be sold along with kits to allow the baker to add flavors or
designs during preparation for baking.

[0039] The above embodiments are intended to be illustrative and not
limiting on the scope of the invention.